King Neches awaits his festival coronation

All hail the king… Congrats to longtime Knight of the NechesBill Benning, who was unmasked at the Beaumont Country Club as King NechesLXIV this past Tuesday afternoon, April 17. Another great honor was bestowed on a well-respected member of our community as James McNicholas was named NRF Citizen of the Year. During the month of April, senior girls and boys will enjoy the social season that our town has come to know as the Neches River Festival. The theme for this year’s festival is “Shades of the Aegean” with Doug McMakin serving as president of the NRF and Heather Petkovsek and Elizabeth Waddill doing an outstanding job as social chairmen.

Terrific time … Superheroes took center stage last Thursday evening as the “Gift of Life” Program’s Champagne & Ribs: The Superhero Party packed the Cowboy Harley-Davidson parking lot to honor well deserving gentlemen Darrell Jacob, Mark Kubala and Mickey Shuffield as “Gift of Life” Justice League Honorees. Led by Super Event Chairs Pat Avery, Lee Ann and Terry Garth, Becky and JoeHolland, the annual event was a super success with more than a 1,000 guests in attendance. Enjoying the sizzling ribs, all-you-can-eat mouthwatering delicacies prepared by the by the Golden Triangle Chapter of the Texas Chefs Association, tons of bubbly and the sensational music of the Mid-Life Crisis Band were the likes of Dana and SlateBabineaux, Brenda and Charles Vessels, Charlene Dauphin, Penni and Ray Woodard, Danny Oliver, Mary Jane Garth, Ty Abshire, Harriet Garth, Judy and James Black, Iris and Jerry Nathan, Carol and Gerald Eddins, Terri and Glenn Morgan, David Bernsen, Taylor McSpadden, Cade Bernsen, Christy and Mike Persia, Jaime Hensley, Lou Huber, Lindsay and Steve Zummo, Katie Whitney, Mandie and Garrett Peel, Gail and Kerry Moncla, Kellan Shaw, Becky and Rodney Ames, Carol and Mike Hebert, Allison and Mike Getz, Marie Bando, Julie and Alan Coleman, JoRita and Steve Lyle, Lindsay and Hubert Oxford IV, Sheri and Eddie Arnold, and too many more to mention. Kudos to NormaSampson and the staff of Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program for orchestrating this “party of the year”!

One man’s trash … Kelly High School is holding its fifth annual Another’s Treasure Super Sale this weekend with fabulous fines for friends and family. It all begins at 7 a.m. at Kelly High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont. This one-day sale is one of the largest of its kind in the area and is a major fundraiser for the school. You’ll find clothing from infant to adult, books, furniture, jewelry, artwork, tools and equipment, electronics, kitchen goods, holiday, collectibles and more! Call (409) 866-2351, ext. 108.

Bountiful bash … The Oaks Historic District Neighborhood Association hosted its annual Preservation Bash in the home and on grounds of the beautiful estate of Mary Olsen and JeffFritz this past Saturday evening with a terrific crowd. Seen in the crush perusing the many silent auctions items, as well as quaffing the clever cocktails and nibbling the divine desserts were Virginia and Ralph Jordan, Karleen Golias, Pam Brocato, Kelly and Mike Johnston, Ellen Schulz, Paula and Joey Blazek, Jennifer Pate, W.L. Pate, Suzanne Pate, Eric Bender, Elena Sandovici, Summer Lydick, Marc McDonald, Sheryl and Syd Boyd, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Berryhill, Larry Boner, Annette and Scott Holtemyer, Bethany and Elliott New, BridgetMiller and MattMurphy.

Such a worthwhile difference … May has been declared “Older Americans Month” recognized by proclamation in both the Beaumont and Port Arthur city councils as well as the Hardin County and Jefferson County commissioners courts. Therefore, the one organization that services the most seniors in Southeast Texas, Nutrition and Services for Seniors, is celebrating older Americans who have made Southeast Texas a better place to live. On May 10 at 11:30 a.m., this organization will host the first annual Deliver the Difference benefiting Meals on Wheels at the Beaumont Country Club. The luncheon will honor some that have contributed to improving the quality of life in our city — namely Donald H. Taft and Charlie H. Weinbaum. Honorary chair of the event Betty Leaf will also be recognized for her contributions to community, most specifically to Nutrition and Services to Seniors. A social with music will kick off the event with lunch and recognitions to begin at noon. Tickets are $40, and all proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels. For a reservation for the May 10 luncheon, call (409) 832-4455.

News of I do’s … Amy Morgan and Ryan Pyburn were the honorees as several friends hosted a wedding shower in their honor. The camouflage theme party was held at Camp Klein (home of Katharine and BradKlein) along with “Fishermen” hosts Clark Baker, D’awn and Jeff Beaver, Casey McDermand and “Hunters” hosts Cindy and JamieDishman, Cathy and John Hawa, Becky Marino, Christy and Mike Persia. Enjoying the evening were Teri and Glenn Morgan, Terri and TimHumble, MatthewMorgan, CassieLaMendola, MichaelMorgan, Kim and Mark Bellard, Kate Bellard, Mickey Phelan, Lauren and Wilson Hawa, Renee and Scott Smith, Trent Marino, CarolineRobbins, KatieO’Neill, Katie and JeffBeaver, HollisSmith, Annie Dishman, Heather and Bobby Beaver, Beckyand Joe Holland, andAnn and KyleHayes to name a few. The precious adventurous couple will exchange their wedding vows in June. Congrats!

While we harbor no disrespect for the Wall Street Journal who called us “that scrappy little paper from Southeast Texas,” we prefer to think of ourselves as simple seekers of the truth. We’re of the opinion that headlines and sound bites never tell the whole story. Our readers demand all the facts, facets and flavors of every story or event. And, they expect to be informed, educated and stirred to action.